Over 2,100 students graduate at Wright State University’s 2017 spring commencement

More than 2,100 students graduated at Wright State’s 2017 spring commencement.

Led by Provost Thomas Sudkamp, Wright State University celebrated the commencement of more than 2,100 students and their families at the university’s spring graduation ceremony Saturday, April 29, at the Wright State Nutter Center.

Sudkamp recognized the thousands of students, families, faculty and staff for their years of hard work in pursuit of a goal, and in some cases a dream, that sets the table for the rest of their lives.

Sudkamp spoke about the symbol of a handshake — a Wright State commencement tradition —that he then carried on later in the ceremony, to give graduates their first handshake from their alma mater in congratulations for completing and excelling in their momentous journey.

Cliff Rosenberger, speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and 2012 graduate of Wright State, addressed students with an inspiring address as the commencement speaker.

“Everything in your life up to this point has helped you prepare for what comes next. Do not fear what you are called to do and never forget where you came from,” said Rosenberger. “It is only through a diverse people coming together that we can ever hope to tackle the challenges and embrace the changes that lie before each of us.”

Wright State University Provost Thomas Sudkamp shakes the hand of a doctoral graduate at 2017 spring commencement.

Rosenberger also reminded students of a common saying, “opportunity is not a lengthy visitor,” as he encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities they have as college graduates.

“Don’t forget to keep things simple, but also be innovative and sell yourself. Remember the power of the individual to make a difference,” he said.

“Remember to dream, don’t settle, never allow yourself to quit or give up, give back, help people in need. Success, chase it. Respect, earn it. And love, embrace it. If you can remember to work with these principles in mind, and make decisions like I’ve spoken about, I have no doubt that you will each help make this world a better place,” said Rosenberger. “Don’t sweat the small things, love, laugh, work hard and play hard and always keep it simple. And welcome to the family.”

Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and 2012 Wright State alum Cliff Rosenberger gave the commencement address.

Rosenberger also offered his thoughts on Wright State University as an institution.

“I know this institution, and it boasts some of the best faculty and obviously you as some of the best students,” he said. “I am confident that just as you each are about to experience your new beginnings in life, Wright State is on track for a new beginning as well that will carry it on for years to come.”

“I know Wright State will emerge from this recent test stronger and well positioned to continue its tremendous service to the university’s number one priority — the reason we are here today — you, the students,” said Rosenberger.

The class features graduates from 58 Ohio counties, including 1,471 from the 16 counties anchored by Wright State’s Dayton and Lake campuses. Graduates hailed from 23 total states.

The class also includes 304 international students from 19 nations, with India boasting the largest number of foreign graduates with 190. The graduating students from the class ranged in age from 19 to 61.

Graduates by college:

College of Education and Human Services: 359

College of Engineering and Computer Science: 545

College of Liberal Arts: 469

College of Nursing and Health: 125

College of Science and Mathematics: 299

Raj Soin College of Business: 297

Lake Campus: 55

Notable Graduates

Going places

Nathan Balasubramanian was involved in numerous campus activities, including the Student Government Association, while working toward two graduate degrees. (Photo by Erin Pence)

To say Nathan Balasubramanian wore many hats during his time at Wright State University is putting it lightly.

The graduate student has not only been president of the Graduate Student Assembly, he was also chief policy officer for the Student Government Association, served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education and Human Services and worked as a graduate assistant in the recruitment division for the University Center for International Education. He also served as the graduate associate for region IV-E of the NASPA — Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and was recently inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society.

“I would like to move into public policy,” Balasubramanian said. “I see myself going for a public office. I’m looking at international organizations like the UN.”

But first, at Saturday’s Commencement, he collected his master’s degrees. Plural.

Balasubramanian grew up in a small town in the Tamil Nadu in southern India, the son of a father who is in the export business. After he earned his bachelor’s degree, Balasubramanian looked at hundreds of American universities to pursue a graduate degree and was drawn to Wright State because of its cybersecurity program.

“It’s not offered by a lot of universities,” he said. “And at a university like Wright State, I can grow with it.”

And grow he did.

“Far away from a distant land in the eastern hemisphere, I decided to take my first flight to the birthplace of aviation, to the university named after the brothers who gave the world a taste of flying,” said Balasubramanian. “Today, this place has given me the wings of courage to fly.”

Flying high

Brontee Jeffries, senior sociology major, was named the Airman of the Year by the 179th Air Wing in the Air Force Ohio National Guard. (Photo by Will Jones)

The Airman of the Year for the 179th Air Wing in the Air Force Ohio National Guard this year was Wright State student Brontee Jeffries. Though the award was for her work done off-campus, the sociology major and French minor left her mark on campus too.

Jeffries volunteers and interns at the National Alliance of Mental Health’s Clark, Greene and Madison Counties chapter, served as president of Wright State’s Black Women Striving Forward and was a resident assistant at Wright State’s College Park Community housing. She was also crowned Miss Black Wright State by the Black Student Union in 2014. Jeffries worked as a peer adviser in the Wright State Veteran and Military Center and became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

“I want to serve my country because I believe that if you want to see a change in the world or even on the local level, you have to want to do something about it and not just let things happen,” she said. “So I wanted to serve so I can see on a military side of things how I can be of service to others.”

Jeffries, who has served in the Air National Guard for three years, works as an aviation resource manager in the 179th Airlift Wing operations group. She deployed for nearly three months last spring. Then last summer, Jeffries traveled to France to put her minor in French to good use. She hopes to continue traveling during her time in the military.

Jeffries plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration with the goal of working in health administration in a hospital setting.

“During my time at Wright State, I have learned a lot about myself. I have grown in many ways that I am proud of, and I am excited to continue the legacy of what it truly means to be a Raider,” said Jeffries. “So many people have been instrumental in all of my successes. I will always show my Raider pride, Wright State is a part of me, and I am a part of Wright State.”

Steller performance

Lindsey Steller, a graduate student in the student affairs in higher education program, worked in the Student Activities office, was president of a graduate student organization and adviser for the Black Student Union and Raiderthon. (Photo by Will Jones)

It was Tom Hanks. That was the clincher.

When Lindsey Steller was shopping for graduate programs, she spotted a commercial that Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks did endorsing programs at Wright State University.

Steller, who was traveling in Oregon at the time, scheduled a Skype interview with Wright State admissions officials and was soon admitted into the graduate program in higher education.

Steller — a self-described Type A personality and workaholic — graduated with her master’s but has achieved much more in just a short time at Wright State. She worked as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Activities, was president of a graduate student organization and was adviser for Raiderthon, the annual dance marathon that raises money for Dayton Children’s Hospital.

She did two internships related to college admissions, has been hired at Xavier University as an admissions counselor and will start there after finishing her master’s program in Cambridge with one of Wright State’s partner schools, Anglia Ruskin.

“My time at Wright State has provided me with countless opportunities to grow, develop, and learn in all aspects of my life. One of my favorite things about Wright State is that everyone has a door to open and become a leader in some aspect,” said Steller. “Everyone has the resources to flourish and develop into a person who will thrive post graduation.”

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